Chimpanzees in Captivity

Chimpanzees in Captivity

Chimpanzees can be very difficult to keep in captivity. They need to have the right environment in order for them to thrive. If they aren’t happy then they won’t eat and they won’t mate. Every effort has to be made to ensure that their basic needs will be met. In a zoo setting though this often means a huge enclosure where they have lots of room to roam around.

The lack of space can be a huge problem for many zoos that do want to add Chimpanzees. The more that we learn about their natural environment and behaviors in the wild though the easier it is to mold something that is very successful for them to thrive in. The balance of the number of Chimpanzees is important too so that they can create their own social structure and hierarchy.

Chimpanzees that are in captivity seem to adapt very well with these accommodations being made to resemble what they have in the wild. In fact, they are noted to live at least a decade longer in captivity than in the wild due to the care they receive and always having enough food to thrive.

They are less likely to suffer from problems with disease which can wipe out large numbers of Chimpanzees in the wild. When any signs of such problems emerge medical staff can investigate and offer medical attention. Enrichment programs need to be introduced too so that the Chimpanzees continue to learn.

They have a brain that craves information and continues to grow. It is similar to a child that starts school at a young age and continues to learn as they move through the various grades. You do have to be careful with Chimpanzees in captivity though as they are very strong – about four times stronger than the average adult male.

Ensuring that the enclosure is solid enough to hold them is very important. This includes fencing, glass, and other structures. The last thing you want is Chimpanzees out there on the loose due to a design that couldn’t hold them. Even with today’s technology there can be times when such animals are grossly underestimated.

They can be very clever and very manipulative. Those that care for them have to keep a close eye on them all the time. One simple mistake can be a serious problem and have adverse outcomes. Caregivers have to avoid becoming too routine in their efforts or the Chimpanzee will already know the course of action to be carried out.

We can learn a great deal from Chimpanzees in captivity though. This is a great way to observe their communications and day to day interactions. However, due to the fact that they are so closely related to us genetically many people have a problem seeing them in captivity. They feel that it is a prison sentence and one that humans shouldn’t be placing upon them.

Even though it is illegal to do so, many people continue to have Chimpanzees in captivity as pets. They love the idea of having such an unusual animal in their residence. This can be very dangerous though and not a good idea because these animals can be dangerous. They have bitten humans and in some cases seriously injured or killed them.

There are some sanctuaries out there for Chimpanzees that have been held illegally as pets. They certainly can’t be returned to the wild. Many of them are injured or they don’t have the right social skills to even be placed with others in a zoo setting. Some have anger problems too due to being placed in confined spaces during their captivity.